As we get into September, let the horror fests begin as films start creeping into each of the streaming services, most of my favorites from Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween’s (Except the Rob Zombie) versions, Exorcist and Exorcist III and many others.
One that I found great interest in as far the Story is Candy Man, another favorite having watched all the versions and of course I will throw in all the Saw’s, Insidious and the list goes on with too many too count forgive me if I do not mention your favorite.
But Candy Man, having watched the original film when I was about twenty years old and didn’t really see two and three until years ago and then of course the most recent adaptation.
I find that many will consider Candy Man the villain as yes, he kills people who say his name five times. CANDY MAN, CANDY MAN, CANDY MAN, CANDY MAN, CAN-, sorry I can not do it frankly I don’t want to meet my maker with the Candy Man.
What I find interesting about his story is it is a story of Love ending in violence. First, I love how this story was written by Clive Barker with his short story “The Forbidden”. Having not read the original story but feel I must read.
As the original story was actually a Caucasian male having long blonde hair with an unruly red beard, Pale skin that is yellow and eyes that looked like rubies. I find this version quite frightful. In the film version he is played by the incredible Tony Todd, who is black but plays an incredible Candyman less.
Granville T Candyman or Daniel Robitaille was a part of a rich black family in 1870’s Chicago. Having gained fame for his portraits and music he commissioned to paint Helen, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Demanding that Helen poses in the nude as Venus and soon their relationship turns to love.
The forbidden affair brings the city’s wrath down to Granville. Cutting his right painting hand off with a rusty blade, covering his naked body with Honey and watching as the bees sting him to death. Lastly the lynch mob chants Candyman five times before he dies. In the short story, the character describes his existence as an urban legend: “I am rumor. It’s a blessed condition, believe me. To live in people’s dreams; to be whispered at street-corners; but not have to be.”
The story revolves around the needs to keep the legacy alive, killing those who doubt his existence. Based on the legend, Candy man was wrong, seeking his revenge through the ages, keeping his legacy alive. Did the town need to lynch the man, cut his hand off, insert a hook, cover with honey, and let bees sting him to death. Some would say just move on, don’t take your revenge, revenge is wrong. It’s hard because as a man who believes in GOD, I know GOD say’s vengeance is his and it is, but when will people just learn probably never. Even today people continue to take their vengeance, harm the innocent and yet at times there seems to be no accountability.
What is interesting is there are other films that despite ideas about those who do harm getting what we think they deserve like SAW or Jigsaw who attempted to teach those who wrong others to learn and seek repentance for their acts.
I wonder do we need more Candyman’s in the world, more Jigsaws, hard to say because then maybe one day we might be on the other end paying for our crimes, our sins. Again, a follower of Christ my sins are forgiven that doesn’t mean we don’t pay for them in some way.
I do feel bad for the Candyman at times, because why can’t people just let people be, mind their own business, but again even today people continue to act terrible towards their fellow man, woman and even child.
I think there are certainly lessons we can learn from some of these films, although I do not people to die, I do wish people to learn to be kinder to each other, stop the hate, the violence, the smearing , the bullying but I doubt that will ever happen because frankly we live in a fallen , rotten world that will not be changed until Christ comes back.
Like any story, idea there is a lesson behind it, a lesson the writer is trying to teach their audience that we often overlook, but Candy Man I think has a clear message, but I may be mistaken.
I would encourage you all to watch and even read about the Candyman who knows what this story may tell you about yourself, your views.
